North Andover's Lucy leads way for boys hockey team, close to tournament berth

Wednesday

Jan 31, 2018 at 5:54 PMJan 31, 2018 at 6:11 PM

Joshua Boyd jboyd@wickedlocal.com

Going into their Jan. 31 game, the North Andover boys hockey team had their calendar open, hoping to pencil in "state tournament" for late February or March.

After all, they just needed one point against Tewksbury – or against any one of their other six opponents – to qualify for the 2018 state tournament.

"So far, so good. We need a tie or a win," said head coach Peter Marfione. "They’re just coming together as a team. In the middle, we had a couple losses and a couple ties, but we just had a great week where we beat three good teams."

The Scarlet Knights tied Methuen, 5-5, on Jan. 20, and then picked up three straight wins over Lincoln-Sudbury (3-1), Waltham (5-2) and Boston Latin (5-1) prior to the Jan. 31 Tewksbury game.

Key to the North Andover attack recently has been forward Matt Lucy.

"He’s had at least 10 points in the last four games," said Marfione.

"We are a momentum team," added Lucy. "We’re building on some good wins."

This is just a foundation, however, as Lucy hinted. The Scarlet Knights don’t want to peak just yet.

"This is our year. This is our year to make a good run in the tournament," Lucy added. "The last two years, we got bounced out in the first round. We have 11 seniors on this team, talented forwards, strong defense and goaltending. We’re definitely going to make the tournament."

Lucy is listed as having 15 goals and 26 points on the stats site masshshockey.com.

"He’s just a smart player. He knows where to be, he knows where his teammates are, and he has a good knack for a net," added Marfione.

"I’ve been playing hockey since I was 4 years old, and it’s all been leading up to this year," said Lucy. "I just credit all my coaches, Coach Marfione, and I’m playing with a good couple linemates. Tyler [Buonopane] makes my job a lot easier, and I also rely on my good hockey instincts."

Buonopane had 23 points this year heading up against Tewksbury, and fellow linemate Shaun Mackay (seven points) was also contributing to the team’s success.

"This is my last year of hockey, so I have to make it last," said Lucy.

He has his college choices down to three major universities – the University of Massachusetts, University of Virginia and Villanova University.

"I like how they’re all big, and they all have good sports. I’ll be more of a big fan at the college level," said Lucy. "I’m looking at business and finance as a major, that’s really my focus now."

Outside of Lucy’s line, the Scarlet Knights also have the line of Zach Keating (16 points), T.J. Fredo and Joe Phinney (six points apiece) producing at a good click so far.

Goalie Jack Walsh has been in net throughout the season and he has proven to be on the mark game in and game out, added Marfione.

Everyone is having fun, but they’re also focused on making this year one to remember, from seniors down to freshmen.

"Our kind of theme since the second half of the season started to band together more as a team and honestly just have fun," said Lucy. "We went out there, started having more fun out there, and started scoring goals. We’re having some fun. Don’t take everything too seriously."

Three in a row

The Scarlet Knights spoiled Lincoln-Sudbury’s home game at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, winning 3-1, giving Lincoln-Sudbury its first MVC/DCL league loss.

The Warriors put up a 1-0 lead, but Jake Sitak tied the game in the second on a power play (assisted by Lucy and Buonopane).

McKay scored the eventual game-winner, and Buonopane scored an empty-netter. Lucy assisted on both of those for a three-point night, and Buonopane also had three, with an assist on McKay’s goal.

North Andover downed Waltham, a team that is ranked in the top 20 of Division 1 by Hockey Night In Boston. The Scarlet Knights won 5-2 on Jan. 24, helping to raise money for the Matthew Harty Fund, as well.

Mike Halloran earned his first goal of the year, before Lucy and Buonopane finished the night with two goals apiece. Jack Walsh posted 26 saves for the win, and the defense corps of Jake Sitak, Joel Kochanski, Keegan Hughes and Halloran "played really well," added Marfione.

Like the Lincoln-Sudbury game, North Andover gave up the first goal to Boston Latin. And also like that earlier game, North Andover stormed back for a win.

Keating scored North Andover’s first five minutes into the second (assisted by Fredo), and then Lucy scored the next two to send the Scarlet Knights into the room up 3-1. Kyle Hooley scored a power play goal with 2:06 remaining in the game to wrap it up. ]

An 11-save first period led to an eventual 31-save victory for Walsh for the evening.